BERNARD: But surely the citizens of a democracy have a right to know.

SIR HUMPHREY: No. They have a right to be ignorant. Knowledge only means complicity in guilt; ignorance has a certain dignity.

Jonathan Lynn (b. 1943) English actor, comedy writer, director

Yes Minister, 01×01 “Open Government” (BBC2 Television) (1980-02-25) [with Anthony Jay]